Gold on the ceiling: A case study of PwC Sydney, by Futurespace & Civardi Furniture

Global accounting and consultancy firm PwC recognised that business is changing. Their clients were implementing new technologies and processes that eclipsed those that came before, and PwC realised that in order to meet the demands of this changing landscape, they needed to change too. Looking to make a fresh start, PwC worked to establish new premises that would integrate technology and modern, sustainable design to create a space that is less business, and more destination. The goal was to provide an environment that lent itself to creativity and collaboration, one that could boost efficient workflow while retaining the flexibility to support the working processes of a multitude of different clients.

PwC's client experience centre in their new Barangaroo offices. A design that welcomes from the get-go.

Project background

While PwC developed new premises in many of their locations, it's the Sydney office that utilised Locker Group's woven wire. Situated west of the CBD in the multi-award winning Barangaroo development, PwC is situated at One International Towers, Watermans Quay. Their clients will find the new customer experience centre over four levels, beginning at the welcoming centre on level 17.

PwC brought in Futurespace for the interior design. As a forward thinking architecture and interior design agency, Futurespace had the passion and approach to create a truly unique design. Inspired by the emergence of companies introducing disruptive business models, PwC hoped to to change the way their business operated, and this needed to begin with where the business was operating. Dedicated to many of the same principles that PwC hoped to integrate into the design, Futurespace was the best agency for the job.

Futurespace Design Director, Gavin Harris, explained that moving away from a more traditional consultancy layout was essential. It was important to design a space that had multiple settings, that would foster collaboration and greater results for PwC's client base. Harris described how the Futurespace team looked at hospitality, branded airport lounges, and other types of co-creation spaces to inform the way that the PwC customer experience would need to function.

Of course, it was more than simply function that PwC required. The customer experience centre also needed to look and feel unique – the multiple interactive elements had to come together as a cohesive whole. This is where the gold ceiling comes in. Locker Groups Planar 441 woven wire was used as a ribbon that winds its way through the space and connects everything together. The wire is visually striking, particularly where it dips and becomes a shield for the window of the foyer. This feature, coupled with the unique viewing portal, makes an immediate impression as soon as clients step out of the lift.

The foyer of PwC's client experience level.

Why Locker Group's Planar 441?

In bringing Planar 441 to PwC, Futurespace teamed up with Civardi Furniture, a specialist joinery manufacturer dedicated to pushing the boundaries of materials and design. Civardi have their own extensive portfolio of innovative and visually pleasing solutions, and this is what drew the team at Futurespace to collaborate with them.

Gavin and his team had an idea early in the design process about using a material that would render the ceiling a transparent gold. The downward curve of the wire against the foyer window was something the team had hoped to implement early on, believing it to be a strong welcoming statement that was both interesting and inviting. While trialing possible materials, tone, colour and profile were taken into consideration as the designers weighed up the strengths of different types of metal to see if their vision was possible.

Gavin explained that finding the right woven wire product is what brought the idea to fruition. Locker Group's Planar 441 offered the right amount of reflectivity and transparency without sacrificing lighting, sound, or aesthetics. It was ideally suited as the consistent texture between the shielding in the foyer and the ceiling panels, lighting the way for PwC clients.

Futurespace and Civardi make the most of Planar 441.

Implementing the woven wire

While Gavin and the Futurespace team had hoped to implement a feature like the woven wire ceiling, it was not without it's challenges. Initially there was some concern around how it would be mounted, and whether this would negatively impact the lighting, sprinklers and fire alarms, and that optimal acoustics would remain intact. In turn, it was also important that these essential fixtures didn't detract from the metal's beauty. With proof of concept coming from Civardi, the panels were able to be installed via a supporting spring line.

The final product

Ultimately, Gavin, the Futurespace design team and the specialists from Civardi created a wonderfully vibrant and engaging environment. Locker Group's Planar 441 woven mesh panels create a strong impression from the very moment a client enters the building. This new space will change the way PwC interact with their clients, and it was all achieved by a winning combination of creative minds, skilled hands, and top quality materials. For more information about Locker Group products, or to find out what materials we have that will suit your next project, get in touch today.